upper cervical blog

Vertigo, the terrible feeling of having the world spin around you, is not actually a standalone condition. Rather, vertigo is a symptom of many health conditions. Different diseases come along with vertigo of varying severity – sometimes the feeling is barely noticeable and vague, other times it can be so severe that it prevents a person from being able to balance at all. Vertigo attacks can come on gradually or suddenly and last from just a few seconds or much longer.

Vertigo can be described in many ways:

A whirling or spinning sensation when you’re not actually moving

The feeling of being still and the world is spinning around you

Lightheadedness

Feeling like you’re floating or rocking

The sensation of being pulled off to the side

A sense of heaviness

Regardless of how vertigo presents in any individual case, it can be the source of much anxiety, loss of self-reliance, and can cause major disruptions in performing daily tasks.

How Does my Body Maintain its Sense of Balance?

When vertigo strikes and you feel like the whole world is spinning around you, your body has lost its normal ability to maintain its sense of balance. When your body’s balance system is working as it should, there’s no reason to ever really pay much attention to it. However, when something goes awry and you find yourself unsteady on your feet, then balance becomes a big deal. To achieve balance, there is a constant feedback loop running that responds to sensory input and responds by correcting posture through motor control. The components of your balance system include:

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book

Muscles and joints - muscles and joints contain special sensory receptors that are responsive to stimuli such as pressure or stretch. This sense is called proprioception, and the receptors in muscles, joints, and skin send signals to the brain to tell it where your body is positioned in space. The proprioceptors in your ankles and your neck are among the most important – your ankle position tells your brain about the surface you’re standing on and if you’re stationary or moving, and sensors in your neck tell the brain which way your head is turned.

Eyes - input from your eyes is a major component in your body’s balance system. What you see gives the brain a lot of information about where your body is positioned in space and how it’s oriented relative to other objects.

Vestibular system - within each of your ears are components that make up the vestibular system. It’s your vestibular system that tells the brain how your body is moving. This is how you feel, for example, when you're riding in an elevator if you’re moving up or down. The vestibular system relies on fluid-filled canals to detect movement and then send the appropriate signals to the brain about body movements. When the vestibular apparatus within each ear is functioning properly, symmetrical impulses are sent to the brain, allowing consistency in balance.

Central nervous system - To stay balanced, there are pieces of input from all of the destinations mentioned above. All of these signals travel over the nervous system and are sent to the brain to be interpreted to craft the most appropriate response in order to keep you balanced. The major players in the central nervous system that process balance signals are your brainstem (which sorts signals), cerebellum (coordination center), and cerebral cortex (thinking and memory).

Vertigo and Vestibular Disorders

The most common causes of vertigo have their roots in the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain that control eye movements and balance. Vertigo can be one of the most debilitating symptoms of a problem with the vestibular system. Vestibular disorders are commonly caused by head or neck injury, environmental factors, genetics, or illness. Some of the most common vertigo-causing vestibular conditions include:

BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) - calcium crystals that are normally embedded in the inner ear can come loose and migrate into the fluid-filled canals. This disrupts the normal balance signals and can result in bouts of severe vertigo

Cervicogenic dizziness - when a person sustains an injury to the neck, it can result in loss of balance, vertigo, and disorientation.

Labyrinthitis & vestibular neuronitis - a viral infection can inflame parts of the inner ear and the nerve that conducts balance impulses to the brain resulting in vertigo.

Meniere’s disease - an excess of fluid builds up in the inner ear, resulting in vertigo episodes, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and the sensation of fullness in the affected ear.

Mal de debarquement - the feeling of movement, rocking, or spinning that persists after returning from an ocean cruise.

Vertigo Relief with Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Because it’s known that head and neck injury is one of the most common vertigo-provoking events, many vertigo sufferers are finding relief by having their upper cervical neck alignment checked and corrected. A common cause can be identified in the many vertigo-causing conditions above. When the atlas, the uppermost vertebra in the neck, misaligns as a result of an injury it can cause a disruption in the way your brainstem can sort and process balance signals. When positioned correctly, the atlas forms a protective ring around the brainstem. However, when it’s misaligned, it can cause irritation and inflammation that can ultimately result in vertigo.

At Upper Cervical Health Center Boise, we use state-of-the-art equipment to perform a thorough analysis of each of our patients to determine if an atlas misalignment is a factor that’s contributing to their vertigo. If so, we use gentle, precise methods to restore normal upper cervical alignment. The body is then able to heal naturally, resulting in a reduction in vertigo and other symptoms associated with vestibular conditions. If you’re tired of living in anxiety over when your next episode might occur, contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss the details of your case and how we might be able to help you.

To begin with, it is important to note that vertigo is not a condition but rather a symptom of other health conditions. It is the feeling that you or the things in your environment are spinning about. It can be barely noticeable, or it can be so severe if it causes you to have to sit or lie down until the spinning feeling passes. You may find it impossible to keep your balance or do your everyday routine tasks. Attacks of vertigo can come on suddenly, without warning. They can last a few seconds or much longer. With severe vertigo cases, your symptoms may be consistent and last for several days. This can make living your life very difficult. Along with vertigo, it is common to experience other symptoms:

Loss of balance making it nearly impossible to stand or walk

Feeling nauseated and even vomiting

Sweating

Issues with hearing

Ringing in the ears

Types of Vertigo: If you are experiencing vertigo for the first time or if it keeps coming back, you might want to visit your family doctor. There are two different types of vertigo:

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book

Peripheral vertigo: The most common kind of vertigo, peripheral vertigo happens when there is a problem with the balance system of the inner ear. It can be due to various causes:

A head injury: Sometimes vertigo happens after you have endured a head injury. If this happens, it is important to seek medical attention.

Labyrinthitis: An inner ear infection causes a structure deep inside the ear to become inflamed. The labyrinth is made up of fluid-filled channels controlling balance and hearing. If this area is inflamed, it causes conflicting information to be sent to the brain than what is being sent from the ears and eyes. This leads to vertigo. Labyrinthitis is caused by a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. It can be due to a bacterial infection as well, but less often. You may also have nausea, vomiting, hearing loss, tinnitus, fever, and ear pain.

Meniere’s disease: This is a rare condition having vertigo as one of its main symptoms. You may also have a feeling of congestion in the affected ear, hearing loss, and tinnitus. Vertigo attacks may last for hours or days and are often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may be able to be controlled by diet, particularly reducing salt.

Side effects from certain medication: Some medications cause vertigo. Check with your pharmacist or read the information that comes with the medicine.

Vestibular neuronitis: Like labyrinthitis, this condition causes inflammation of the nerve that connects the labyrinth to the brain. Sometimes the labyrinth itself becomes inflamed. Brought about by a viral infection, it often comes on suddenly and can cause unsteadiness, nausea, and vomiting in addition to vertigo. It may last a few hours or days but can take up to 6 weeks to calm down totally.

BPPV -- benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: By far the most common form of vertigo. BPPV often happens when you move your head in a certain way, such as bending over, standing up quickly, or rolling over in bed. BPPV is known for short, intense, recurrent attacks of vertigo lasting for a few seconds to a few minutes. It is usually accompanied by nausea, but vomiting is rare. You may have what is called nystagmus, your eyes jerking without control. It is likely caused by small fragments of calcium braking off and settling in the wrong part of the ear. BPPV is most often seen in people over the age of 50. It can occur for no apparent reason or it can come on due to one of the following causes:

An ear infection

Ear surgery

A head injury

Staying in bed too long due to illness

Central vertigo: Caused by issues in certain parts of the brain, such as the cerebellum (near the bottom of the brain) or the brainstem (the lower part of the brain connected to the spinal cord), central vertigo can be brought on by the following:

Migraines: a severe headache usually causing throbbing head pain, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and vertigo

Multiple sclerosis: a condition of the central nervous system

Acoustic neuroma: a rare, non-cancerous benign brain tumor that grows on the acoustic nerve, which is responsible for controlling hearing and balance

Brain tumors: these tumors would be located at the bottom of the brain

TIA (a transient ischaemic attack) or stroke (blood supply cut off to part of the brain)

Certain medication side effects

Finding a Natural Solution for Vertigo: As you can see from the above information, vertigo can be due to a number of things. However, one thing commonly seen connected to vertigo is a misalignment in the top bones of the neck, the C1 and C2 vertebrae. A sports injury, a car accident, a trip and fall, or similar trauma can cause these bones to move out of place. These two bones act as a protection for the brainstem. However, if they are misaligned, they put the brainstem under stress and cause it to malfunction. If the brainstem is telling the brain one thing, but the signals coming from the eyes and ears tell the brain something else, vertigo can be the end result.

With Upper Cervical Chiropractic care we use precision methods that gently moves the bones back into place without the need to pop or crack the neck or back. This method is based on scientific measurements derived from precision x-rays and a precise spinal correction is tailored to each patients unique anatomy. Once the bones are back in place and proper communication is restored between the brain and body, the patient will go through a healing process and symptoms will begin to improve and in many cases go away completely as the body begins healing itself. This is proportional to the nature and degree of spinal injury and resulting damage to the spine. Many people don't think to have their neck evaluated and often delay seeking care until a significant problem has developed over time.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541.

Meniere’s disease can be extremely exasperating for those who suffer from it. It is a disorder of the inner ear most commonly known for the following three symptoms:

Tinnitus: a buzzing, roaring, hissing, or ringing noise in the affected ear

Vertigo: a sensation of movement, particularly spinning, of yourself or your environment

Fluctuating hearing loss that may become permanent over time

Meniere’s disease usually only affects one ear, and sufferers may experience a feeling of fullness in this ear. Meniere’s can impact anyone at any age but is most often observed in people in the age range of 20 to 50. It is mostly considered to be a chronic condition, but the symptoms can be lessened through proper care. In fact, there is an easy, drug-free solution we will discuss later in the article that has helped many Meniere’s patients find relief.

What Are the Symptoms?

Let’s take a closer look at the three main symptoms of Meniere’s disease and others that may occur with them.

Recurring episodes of vertigo: Vertigo is a spinning sensation that begins and ends suddenly, without warning. Vertigo can last for 20 minutes or as long as a few hours but never more than 24 hours. If your vertigo is severe, it can cause nausea and vomiting.

Tinnitus: This is the perception of noise coming from within the ear. It is usually ringing but can also be buzzing, hissing, or some other noise.

Hearing loss: Hearing loss often fluctuates with Meniere’s disease, especially in the beginning stages. Eventually, some loss of hearing becomes permanent in most people.

A feeling of congestion or fullness in the ear: Called aural fullness, most people feel congestion in the affected ear or on the side of their head.

Loss of balance

Headaches

Nausea and vomiting

Sweating

Possible Causes of Meniere’s Disease

Meniere’s disease is one condition that is not well understood. There are many theories as to why it occurs. One that has gained popularity has to do with an abnormal amount of fluid build-up in the inner ear. However, this has not be proven. And, recent research reveals that not all people with Meniere’s have too much fluid in their ears, leading us to the conclusion there must be another factor at play here. Some of these may be:

Improper drainage of endolymph fluid possibly due to anatomic abnormalities

A viral infection

Migraines

Genetic predisposition

Allergies

Abnormal response by the immune system

Head or neck trauma (keep this in mind as you read further)

Doctors think that since they cannot isolate one specific cause, it may be a combination of factors leading to the onset of Meniere’s.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book.

Traditional Care to Help Ease Meniere’s Disease

Seeking help from your medical doctor will more than likely result in some of the following suggestions focused on alleviating or easing one symptom at a time:

Medications

Motion sickness medications

Anti-nausea medications

Diuretics to reduce fluid retention

Noninvasive therapy and procedures

Hearing aids

Rehabilitation to improve balance

Meniett device: This involves applying pressure to the middle ear to improve fluid exchange. A Meniett pulse generator uses a ventilation tube to do this. It is something you can do at home, and improvement has been noted short-term. Long-term effectiveness has not been determined.

Middle ear injections

Gentamicin --This is an antibiotic that is toxic to the inner ear and reduces the function of the balancing system in the ear causing the other ear to take over. The risk of hearing loss is involved with this procedure.

Steroids -- Dexamethasone is often used to help reduce vertigo attacks. This is less likely to cause hearing loss.

Surgery -- This is used as a last option when nothing else has worked.

Endolymphatic sac decompression

Vestibular nerve section

Labyrinthectomy

While some of these give temporary relief, the problem will continue unless the underlying cause is addressed. One thing often overlooked when trying to care for Meniere’s disease is the connection it has to a misaligned bone in the upper cervical spine. Let’s look at the proof that this can be a reason for Meniere’s to occur.

A Connection to a Misalignment in the Upper Cervical Spine

​A study observed 139 people who had been diagnosed with Meniere’s disease. Upon examination and detailed medical history, it was discovered all of these patients had endured some sort of trauma to their head or neck prior to the onset of Meniere’s disease, many due to automobile accidents resulting in whiplash that had gone undiagnosed. After receiving care from an upper cervical chiropractor, all 139 reported significant improvement in their symptoms, particularly vertigo. Some reported their Meniere’s went away completely.

The upper cervical procedures that we utilize are both gentle and precise. It targets the misalignment in the bones of the upper cervical spine and corrects the misalignment without the need to pop the neck or crack the back in any way. Rather, it is a natural, drug-free way to care for Meniere’s disease.

If one of the top two bones in the neck is misaligned, either the C1 or C2, it can put stress and pressure upon the brainstem. This can lead to a few issues causing the onset of Meniere’s disease. Another problem when the brainstem is under stress is that it may send improper signals to the brain about the body’s location, causing vertigo. By correcting the misalignment, many people have seen similar results as in the study above. Meniere’s often eases up or goes away completely.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541

When we think of vertigo, we most often think of the sensation of spinning – whether it be the person or the things around him or her. However, there is one type of vertigo that does not have a spinning sensation as its main symptom. It is called cervical vertigo and is known for making you feel unsteady. Cervical vertigo occurs when you move the head or neck and is related to a disorder here.

​As the name indicates, cervical vertigo has to do with an issue in the neck, more specifically the upper neck or upper cervical spine. While researchers are not entirely sure why this condition occurs, it has been shown to be strongly associated with a previous injury to the neck. Some theories as to why cervical vertigo occurs are due to:

- Whiplash- Wear and tear- A blow to the head or neck- Age- A vehicle accident

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book.

Accidents and Injuries are a common cause of Atlas misalignment – the top bone of the spine. This can interfere with normal nerve function and hinder the sensory communication between the eyes, ears, and proprioceptors of the spine. Thus your body's position sense can be interfered with, resulting in the sensation of cervical vertigo.

Dr. Grayson Blom is a Boise, Idaho native trained and specializing in the Upper Cervical procedure. Dr. Blom is also one of the few Doctors in the state of Idaho trained and certified in the Upper Cervical procedure. Serving Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Idaho and the surrounding areas.

To schedule an appointment to determine if you are a candidate for upper cervical care click the button below or call 208-559-0541.

Vertigo can be unnerving and is often described as a sensation of spinning – be it the person or the things around him. In only 50% of vertigo cases can the doctor find an actual reason, leaving the other half wondering why it is happening. Most often, head and neck trauma is seen to be the underlying cause.

During a recent study, 60 patients who suffered from vertigo were observed. Upon receiving their medical history, an interesting pattern began to develop. It was noted that 93% of these had undergone some form of trauma affecting the head or neck. The accidents involved such things as:

- Horseback riding- Vehicle accidents- Skiing- ​Tripping and falling

Only 4 of those included in the study could not recall having any trauma. The intensity of the damage did not seem to play a role, and neither did it matter if the trauma was recent or many years ago. It is not a coincidence that vertigo developed in the majority of people who have had some sort of injury to the neck. Why do head and neck injuries lead to vertigo?

​To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book

An Overlooked Potential Cause of Vertigo

The top bones of the neck – the C1 and C2 vertebrae – have the important job of protecting the brainstem. However, they are also quite susceptible to injury because of their location and ability to move freely. If they become misaligned, they can put the brainstem under stress and cause it to send faulty signals to and from the brain and body. This can wreak havoc on the entire body and cause such issues as vertigo and other health problems.

Here at our Boise, Idaho office, we employ a gentle method to help these bones to realign naturally. It does not require us to crack or pop the neck or back. When the bones are back in their proper position, the body can begin to function at its peak once again. Proper communication is restored between the brain and body. This is often all that is needed to see an improvement in or remission of vertigo. ​

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541

Don't worry you are not alone the term used to describe this type of vestibular disorder which would be further categorized as a form of dizziness is called Mal De Barquement syndrome. The term Mal De Barquement is a French phrase for "sickness from disembarkation" and disembarkation means to get off a ship or aircraft.

Mal De Barquement syndrome is a persistent dizziness where you have a continuous feeling of rocking, swaying, or bobbing. This is a form of dizziness that is in fact quite rare. The standard treatment is drug therapy which is only designed to temporarily cover up the symptoms. In our experience drugs do not work well for Mad De Barquement syndrome not to mention the body damaging side effects of drug therapies.

​Natural Treatment For Mal De Barquement Syndrome

Mal De Barquement syndrome is frequently associated with a previous head or neck injury. Our clinical experience further supports this notion. The problem that eventually leads to dizziness and vertigo symptoms in many people is a thing called Subluxation. A Subluxation occurs due to a previous accident or injury that created enough force to displace the upper two neck bones called Atlas and Axis. Collectively Atlas and Axis are known as the upper cervical spine. Initially misalignment of the upper cervical spine does not always result in symptoms right away (it can but just not typically). The average time to onset of symptoms from upper cervical spinal misalignment is 10-15 years and with vestibular disorders it is typically 20-30 years ago where there was an injury that traumatized the head or neck.

The solution to Mal De Barquement syndrome is to have your neck evaluated for Subluxation of the upper cervical spine. Dr. Grayson Blom of Boise Idaho is an Upper Cervical Chiropractic specialist that specializes in the detection correction and treatment of upper cervical spinal misalignment (Subluxation) and other spinal related disorders.

Dr. Grayson Blom is an Upper Cervical Chiropractor located in Boise Idaho. He is trained and certified in the Upper Cervical Procedure. If you suspect that you may have upper cervical spinal misalignment causing your symptoms we invite you to schedule a consultation with us to determine if you are a candidate for Upper Cervical Care (208) 559-0541 or you can send a consultation request byclicking the link.

Vertigo can hit suddenly and without warning. One may be performing normal daily activities or be in the middle of a work day, and suddenly the room seems to spin. The person may now need to sit or lie down until the sensation passes leading to the entire day being ruined.

Other symptoms that may accompany vertigo are:

Headache

Sweating

Ringing in the ears (called tinnitus)

Nausea

Health conditions that have vertigo as a primary symptom include:

Meniere’s disease

BPPV – benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Labyrinthitis

Caring For Vertigo

​One may begin the journey of finding help for vertigo by visiting an ear, nose, and throat doctor. This specialist may recommend such things as:

Anti-nausea medicine

Vestibular suppressants (to reduce the symptoms of motion sickness)

Steroid shots

While these medications do provide some semblance of relief when one is coping with an intense attack of vertigo, they are not a permanent fix. In order to find a long-lasting solution, one needs to identify the underlying cause of vertigo.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book

NATURAL, DRUG-FREE VERTIGO RELIEF IN BOISE IDAHO

​At Upper Cervical Health Center Boise, we focus on making sure that the spine is in proper alignment. We look specifically at the C1 and C2 vertebrae. The C1 or Atlas has the important job of protecting the brainstem. If it becomes misaligned, brainstem function may be disrupted. This is the communication superhighway between the brain and body. If signals become distorted, vertigo can be the end result. We use a gentle, precise method to correct the upper bones of the neck back into place. Once this is done, the body can begin heal and repair.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541

Meniere’s disease is considered a rare vestibular disorder that springs from problems in the inner ear. As a result, tinnitus, vertigo, hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in the affected ear can occur, and episodes spring up periodically ranging from mild to debilitating. The vestibular system is the body’s means of balancing and determining its location in space. Thus, anything that affects this system can result in balance problems, nausea, and more.

Because there are no medications designated specifically for Meniere’s by the FDA, various other options are considered in an attempt to curb symptoms. For example, corticosteroid shots to the ear are becoming more common. These have been proven effective for some, but the effects are temporary. Therefore, regular injections to the ear are required, and the underlying condition is still not addressed.

​To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book.

Finding Long-Term Relief From Meniere's Disease in Boise, Idaho

​At Upper Cervical Health Centers Boise, we are after the underlying cause of chronic health conditions that are spinal related—the most common culprit is a misalignment of the Atlas (C1 vertebra). Atlas is the top bone in the neck and it appears as though in many cases that misalignment of the Atlas can disrupt the function of the inner ear as well as the vestibulocochlear nerve.

In a study of 139 Meniere’s patients, vertigo and other symptoms were significantly reduced after upper cervical chiropractic care was administered. The average level of vertigo severity decreased from 8.5 out of 10 to a mere 1.4 in just 6 weeks. It is also important to note that the patients in this study all had a history of whiplash injuries.

If you are suffering from Meniere’s disease, especially if you have a history of head or neck trauma, then we would like to offer you a complimentary consultation to determine if you are a candidate for upper cervical care.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541

Meniere’s disease is a condition of the inner ear that is accompanied by the following symptoms:

Tinnitus: Ringing, buzzing, roaring, or whistling noise in the ear

Feeling of pressure or fullness in the affected ear

Hearing loss that may become permanent over time

Recurring episodes of vertigo: The feeling that the person or the environment around him is spinning

Generally, only one ear is affected

Out of the above-listed symptoms, the one that often causes the most problems is vertigo. It can interfere with a person’s daily routine and even affect the way he or she interacts with other people. Vertigo can:

Be accompanied by nausea and vomiting

Result in extreme tiredness for up to two days

Last anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book

What’s Behind Meniere’s Disease?

The cause of Meniere’s has not been clearly defined, but there is a strong link between it and a misalignment of the upper neck vertebrae. The top two vertebrae are more susceptible to misalignment due to their range of motion. This misalignment can irritate the cranial nerve that controls balance and hearing, leading to pressure and swelling of the auditory tube and/or nerve itself.

A clinical study was done on 139 patients with Meniere’s disease, all of whom reported having previous head or neck trauma due mostly to vehicle accidents. After receiving care from an upper cervical chiropractor, they saw a dramatic improvement in their vertigo and Meniere’s disease symptoms. Some had Meniere’s go away entirely.​At Upper Cervical Health Center—Boise, we have seen similar results. If a patient has an upper cervical misalignment the communication between the brain and body is commonly interfered with disrupting its ability to communicate. This wreaks havoc on the entire body creating all kinds of health-related problems, including Meniere’s disease. Once corrected, the body begins to heal itself and communicate optimally once again. Many patients with Meniere’s disease have thus been helped by receiving upper cervical care.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541

Head and neck injuries can wreak havoc throughout a person’s body. Just a few problems that may occur are dizziness, disequilibrium (feeling off balance), and vertigo. Often, when these neck injuries occur it will result in disruption to the balancing systems of the body. Even more common is the fact that head and neck injuries that result in spinal misalignment are very commonly missed or overlooked.

The Brainstem

The upper cervical spine is comprised of the top two vertebrae of the neck (Atlas and Axis). The brainstem is protected by these bones. If an injury occurs to the head or neck, it can cause the bones here to come out of alignment. The body then begins to compensate for this problem. The head, weighing up to sixteen pounds, needs to sit on top of the vertebrae properly. If not, the body begins to twist to make up for this. This process is called the righting reflex. It is what enables the eyes to stay in line with the horizon, keeping a person in balance. When the body compensates for a misalignment, undue pressure is put on the brainstem and resulting spinal structures, in turn, the nervous system does not function properly. ​

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book.

The brainstem is the key to helping a person stay balanced. It extends from the brain throughout the upper neck vertebrae and then it becomes the spinal cord that connects with nerves that lead to the rest of the body. The brainstem is given positional information from the upper neck through pressure sensors. Information is also collected from the ears via the cranial nerves that mix together in the brainstem to create your sense of balance. If these signals are being distorted due to a misalignment, vertigo, dizziness, and disequilibrium are commonly the result.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Boise Idaho

Dr. Blom is experienced in treating patients with balance issues. The point of upper cervical care is to detect misalignment in the upper cervical spinal column and work to correct it through gentle, effective means. This will bring the head back into proper position, and the rest of the body will follow. At this point the body will begin a healing process, maintaining the spinal correction will allow for symptoms to fade away as the body heals itself. ​

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541